The fabulous talent-studded programme includes no less than five of the most dazzling exponents of the squeezebox. They have all made a huge contribution to advancing the cause of the diatonic accordion, each in their own sphere: trad, folk, liscio, Irish music, jazz, film scores – the list goes on and on.

In common with the characters pervading the imaginary universe of the Japanese, these players have succeeded in combining a variety of styles to create a bold and expressive musical experience. Ingeniously melodic, brilliantly tonal, an invitation to savour an intimate atmosphere or relish a session of wild dancing: these musicians with an impressive list of credentials offer us a spectacular and extremely beguiling event.

The RolandV-Accordion evening competition and concert at the prestigious Auditorium Parco Della Musica opened with the talented brothers Alessandro and Gabriele Guglielmi, 9 and 11 years of age (photo above), who performed a program of great sounding music complete with backing tracks and choreography using the new Roland diatonic accordions.

Next came the international V-Accordion competition and full details of this event and the results are in the Daily Reports at 2011 Rome Festival.

The ‘Taranta’, a folk dance group, featuring Danilo Di Paolonicola on diatonic accordion featured excellent playing by Danilo plus backing tracks and the ‘Taranta’, a folk dance group. The driving sound and very visual costumes of the ‘Taranta’ dance group was very enjoyable viewing and listening.

Antique Accordion in New Movie at Shepperton Studios, Bucks – UK

An antique Russian-made button accordion owned by Scottish-based collector Caroline Hunt, dated about 1890, has been loaned to Shepperton Studios for its film star role in the forthcoming film 'Anna Karenina' with Jude Law and Kiera Knightley.

Caroline says, “After a lot of restoration (it was in many bits) thanks to John Crawford and a kind local joiner who made a replacement fretwork grill and a lot of polish on the brass fittings, it is now looking pretty good”.

'Anna Karenina', to be filmed in the UK and Russia, will be released in 2012.

Caroline Hunt has a large collection of old accordions, some of which are on public display at Bogbain Farm, Inverness IV2 5BD, Scotland.

Copenhagen Irish Festival 3-6 nov. 2011 - Denmark

Over the years many exciting bands have performed at Copenhagen Irish Festival. Many new names have been introduced and later became well known to fans of traditional Irish music all over Europe.

The history started more than 30 years ago at a small venue called Vognhjulet (the Wagon Wheal.) It was there on the first weekend in November that an Irish-Scottish folk music festival was held. The weekend was organized by members of a small local band called Scrumpy.

The highlight was the inclusion of a genuine Irish band. Those who were there will likely remember Mary Bergin’s performance. The audience was enthralled by her flute playing and many returned the following year expecting more new and talented performers.

In the years that followed, the festival grew and in 1988, ten years after the first Irish-Scottish weekend, the 4 organizers decided to extend the weekend to include Thursday and Friday as well. They also changed the name from simply the Irish/Scottish weekend to The Copenhagen Irish Festival.

To better handle organization of the growing festival, two additional members were added to the existing 4 committee members. Everyone, unpaid committee members and volunteers, work very hard during the festival while maintaining their regular day jobs as well. Their special love for Irish music is what sustains the festival year after year. In addition to music, the festival attempts to include annually an art exhibition, lectures, film and/or workshops.

A reoccurring problem has been finding a suitable concert hall in the center of Copenhagen. The venue needs back stage facilities for the artists as well as rooms that can serve as a café. For several years, a very nice concert hall and rooms were rented in an old building in the center of Copenhagen. But, unfortunately, this is no longer possible.

This year the Festival Café will be at the PH Café, Halmtorvet, where the jam sessions and other smaller events will take place. The two double concerts on Friday and Saturday will be held at the new concert hall of Copenhagen Music School, just a few steps from PH Caféen.http://www.irishfestival.dk e-mail: janne@irishfestival.dk

The HARMONICA MASTERS WORKSHOPS once again promise to be one of Trossingen's cultural highlights for 2011. In November, this internationally renowned event takes place in Trossingen for the 7th time.

The small town in the beautiful Black Forest region of Southern Germany is the headquarters of renowned reed instrument manufacturer Hohner. The company celebrated its 150th jubilee there in 2007 and Trossingen has hosted countless international harmonica events.

The Harmonica Masters Workshops are without parallel in Europe and combine classes taught by a world class team of instructors with evening concerts and sessions. They offer players the unique opportunity to study their instrument over a period of several days under the guidance of some of today’s master players as well as hanging out with them in the evenings and watching them in action at close quarters.Steven Bakerhttp://www.harmonica-masters.de/

Austin Celtic Festival / Texas - USA

November 5-6, 2011"For over 15 years, the Austin Celtic Festival repeatedly selects the most notable and influential traditional artists found in Celtic music. Few festivals can duplicate the level of excellence found at the Austin Celtic Festival! The musical integrity of the ACF is OFF THE CHARTS!"

Ennis Trad Festival - Irland

Nov. 10-14th 2011The Ennis Trad Festival is a festival for those who love to hear (or play) Irish Traditional music of the highest quality in its most natural setting. The festival brings together the very best of Irish traditional musicians, singers and dancers in a relaxed and informal atmosphere

Paris-Lisbon Duo Concert, Paris – France

The duo Paris-Lisbon of Yohann (right) and Yannik (left) Lopez were recently competing at the CMA 61st Trophée Mondial in Pineto where they impressed the audience greatly and Yohann was the winner, just a little in front of his equally talented brother.

The duo Paris-Lisbon were recently invited to perform in concert on Friday October 21st at the Consulate of Portugal in Paris.

“I am proud that the band such as Beltango exists in the world, and plays the music of my father the way it should be played. Obviously, my father’s music is completely universal, and Beltango proves it by their marvelous interpretations.” Daniel Piazzolla, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Irish Music and Dance Weekend - Irland

The P.V. O'Donnell branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is hosting a weekend of traditional Irish music and dance, with a super ceili on Friday 4th November. Saturday 5th November starting at 10:00 am we will have 12 workshops for fiddle, flute, whistle, harp, banjo, bodhran, uilleann pipes, singing, BC button accordion, C#D button accordion, concertina and set dancing. Saturday Evening there will be a concert featuring all the tutors and some other special guests and Sunday 6th November we will have a farewell ceili 10:00 am till 1:00 pm

Beoga...live in Germany and Switzerland

Beoga (gaelic for ‘lively’) are based in County Antrim, in the north of Ireland. The bedrock of their sound lies firmly within the Irish tradition. However, they are not afraid to incorporate other genres’ nuances into their music. From bluesy riffs to Astor Piazzola-style jazz, to a raunchy New Orleans jamboree vibe, their music always returns to a wonderfully bouncy Irish sound. The result is traditional, with a huge sense of fun and adventure and it all works - wonderfully well.

After their already traditional Hallowen Hooley they will be touring:November 2011

Steirabluat auf “Tour” im November – Austria

David MUNNELLY in November - Holland/Belgium

David Munnelly is form the most westerly town of Belmullet in County Mayo and born into a musical family growing up listening to the singing and accordion playing of his Grandmother and the lilting of his grandfather he was surrounded by music from very early on.

At the age of 7 David picked up the accordion from listening to the playing of an Uncle and from there continued to show great interest in Traditional music.

After going to college in Dublin for a few years David was fortunate to be asked to join a band with Niamh Parsons whom he toured with for six years and after a few years playing and touring with such notaries as Gerry O Connor, Garry o Brian, Dedannan and the Chieftains in 1999 he set up the David Munnelly band with the recording of his debut Cd titled Swing.

Over the years and recording three other band CDs David and the band have toured extensively in North America, Europe and Japan and with some changes to the line up to the band they continue to tour and promote the unique sound of Irish music that they started with over 10 years ago.

British Button Box Workshop Weekend, Somerset – UK

A course styled ‘British Button Box Workshop Weekend’ takes place at Halsway Manor, Somerset, from May 25th to 27th 2012, led by John Kirkpatrick.

John Kirkpatrick leads a series of workshops for players of the 3-row British chromatic button accordion - the quirky instrument that was taken round the world in the first class hands of Jimmy Shand. The right hand has three melodeon (diatonic) rows in B, C, and C#, and the left hand side has a stradella bass system.

John will be starting out from his very firm base in Traditional English Folk Music, so the style and approach will be quite different from the Scottish Country Dance repertoire made famous by Jimmy Shand and his many followers.

This weekend is also very instrument specific, and will not be suitable for ordinary melodeons, nor for players of the 2-row Irish style. But there will be sessions on the accordion's left hand, so players of other styles of accordion can be included.

As well as covering the expected fields of Morris tunes, Country Dance tunes, and folk songs, John will also be looking at the complexities of playing in all the keys available on this gloriously compact instrument, and exploring swathes of repertoire that may not be immediately associated with the poor old push-pull squeeze-box!

Whether you've been playing five minutes or fifty years, this is a great opportunity to come and learn at the feet of one of England's most dedicated and respected musicians.

John Kirkpatrick is widely acknowledged as the British folk scene’s best and busiest accordionist, constantly in demand at folk clubs and festivals as a performer and workshop leader, and also in the theatre and recording studios as a session musician.

He plays the 3-row British chromatic button accordion, 1 and 2 row melodeons, the Anglo concertina, and is also a fine singer and composer.